Speed responsive signaling mechanism



Oct. 14, 1952 F. N. BAILEY ETAL 2,614,151

SPEED RESPONSIVE SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed June 8, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1many FT anR. Ygfiailgg Qc gyrvxonol )QQ-lumpal Oct. 14, 1952 F. N.BAILEY ETAL SPEED RESPONSIVE SIGNALING MECHANISM 2 SHEETS-Sl-IEET 2Filed June 8, 1950 1i 1 m /w J m o T N a v m F a'cumbk Ybqi 1 e Qqmencl.

G7 Cab-lam Patented Get. 14, 1952 SPEED RESPONSIVE SIGNALING MECHANISMFrank N. Bailey and Raymond P. Humpal, Rockford, Ill., assignors toWoodward Governor Company, Rockford, 111., a corporation of IllinoisApplication June 8, 1950, Serial No. 166,872

3 Claims. (01. 177-3115) This invention relates toa mechanism foractuating a signalling device such as a sw tch when a rotating partreaches a predetermined speed.-

will become apparent from the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is alongitudinal sectional view of a signalling device embodying the novelfeatures of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view similar to Fig. 2 showing theparts in different positions. Fig. 4 is a view of a part of Fig. 1showing the parts in a different position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the switch actuating arm.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the fiyweights.

In the drawings, the invention is shown for taken along the line Ipurposes of illustration embodied in a mechanism adapted to actuate asignalling device such as a self-contained precision snapswitch l0 whena rotary part such as a shaft ll reaches a'predetermined speed. Theshaft is journaled in spaced antifriction bearings 82 which aresupported in the outer end portion of a support in the form of a castingl3 having a flange l4 fitting into and secured to the open end of acup-shaped casing by which the switch and its actuating mechanism areenclosed. Where a pluralit of signals are to'be given at difierentspeeds, a corresponding number of additional switches |0' are spacedaround the support l3 with the casings thereof secured to the support byscrews It; The actuating pins ll of the switches project outwardly alongradii of the shaft H. r

The switch pins l1 are actuated by inward and outward swinging movementsof individual elon-'- gated and substantially straight arms I8fulcrumedv ontangentially disposedpins 19. which plurality thereof to bearranged comare angularly spaced around the support l3 at the inner endof the casing 15. About midway between its ends, each arm l8 bearsagainst the associated switch pin I1 and is urged outwardly by acompression spring seated in the casting l3. The outward movement ofeach arm is limited by engagement of its free end with the interior ofthe casing I 5 (see Fig. 4).

In accordance with the present invention, each of the arms i8 is heldinwardly in one switch actuating position (Fig. 1) by a latch 2| whichis mounted in a novel manner so as to be tripped and released from itskeeper 22 when the latch is struck by a fiyweight 23 as the shaft 1[attains a speed predetermined by the loading of thev flyweight. Herein,the latch is L-shaped with its longer leg pivoted on a pin 24 whichprojects into theouter end of the arm 18 longitudinally thereof and issupported thereby on opposite sides of the latch. The outer end of thepin is guided in a radial slot 25 in an L-shaped member 26 securedagainst the inner side of the flange ll of the supporting casting [3.The latch is thus supported by the arm [8 for bodily radial movement andby the pin 24 for swinging of its short leg 2'! in a direction generallycircumferentially of the shaft I I. It is urged in a direction reverseto the shaft rotation by a torsion spring 28 encircling the pin 24adjacent the latch.

The latch keeper 22 comprises a straight bar of rectangular crosssection forming one leg of the L-shaped member 26 above referred towhich is secured to the flange I4 to position the keeper along the innerside of the latch supporting pin 24. The widths of the latch and keepersurfaces 29 and 30 are correlated with the range of movement of theswitch arm l8 so that when the latch is tripped and the arm I8 is swungoutwardly, the end 29 of the latch will bear against the fiat face 30 ofthe keeper as shown in Fig. 3. Then, when the arm is moved inwardly andthe latch leg 21 passes the inner face 31 of the keeper, the latch willbe swung into set position as shown in phantom in Fig. 3 by the spring28.

The flyweights 23 for tripping the respective latches 2| are mounted ona ballhead 32 on the inner end of the shaft H. Each comprises a block ofmetal pivoted near one end on a pin 33 mounted on the ballhead forswinging of the flyweight in a radial plane which includes the inner end29 of the latch. A spring 34 which urges the fiyweight inwardly acts incompresopposite the fiyweight proper. The cup 35 is threaded into a holein the ballhead so as to be adjusted axially to vary the loading of theflyweight and therefore the speed at which a projection 38 on the latterwill strike the latch surface 23 as the ballhead accelerates. By makingthe scale of the iiyweight substantially higher than that of the spring34, the flyweight may be rendered unstable and its outward movement totrip the latch may be made to occur quickly and with somewhat of a snapaction. The fiyweights for tripping the latches of the four switches and10' are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the ballhead with theirprojections. 38 disposed in the planes of the respective latches 21.

With the latches constructed and arranged as above described, all ofthem may be reset by movement of a single member mounted on the support13 within the latch arms l8 and movable axially of the shaft H. Theresetting member comprises a. spider 39 secured to one end of a plunger40 whichis slidable in bearings 4| on the support l3 and urged into theretracted position shown in Fig. 1 by a compression spring 42 acting ona shoulder 43 on the plunger. The arms of the spider are formed withinclined cam surfaces 44 coacting with follower rollers 45 which aremounted in yokes 46 secured to and projecting inwardly from the latchsupporting arms [8 adjacent the latches. is shifted axially and to theright as viewed in Fig. l, the cams 44 will engage the rollers 45 of allof the released latch arms and cam the latter inwardly far enough forthe latch ends 29 to pass and hook around the keepers 22. All of thlatches are thus reset simultaneously.

While the reset plunger may be actuated by various means, a solenoid 4'!is employed in the present instance with its core 48 secured to thesupporting casing l3 and spaced axially from the ballhead 32. Thearmature 49 of the solenoid is slidable in the core and bears againstthe outer end of the plunger 40 which therefore executes its resettingmovement whenever the solenoid coil is energized.

In service use of the device above described, the individual springs 34will be adjusted to load the fiyweights differently for response of thecorresponding switches to different predetermined speeds of the shaft H.With all of the latches reset as shown in Fig. 1, each flyweight swingsoutwardly in proportion to the speed of the shaft H and passes itsassociated latch end 29 until the shaft attains a speed suificient tobring the flyweight projection 38 to a radius equal to that of the latchend 29. In the next revolution of the shaft H, the edge of the flyweightprojection 38 will strike the latch end 29 and the momentum of theadvancing flyweight will swing the latch to carry its end portion 21along the keeper surface 3! in the direction of rotation of the shaft.As the latch end passes the keeper surface 3!, the latch and itssupporting arm 18 are free to move outwardly under the action of thespring thus changing the condition of the associated switch Hi, thelatch then being positioned as shown in full in Fig. 3. The latches ofthe other switches are tripped in a similar manner when they are struckby their corresponding flyweights.

In the limit outward positions of the latch supporting arms K8, thelatches remain in engagement with the keeper surface as shown in Figs. 3and, and the follower rollers 45 are positioned for proper engagementwith the cam sur- When the plunger 40 faces 44 when the solenoid isactuated to shift the resetting spider 39. In this movement all of thereleased arms [8 are cammed inwardly far enough to permit engagement oftheir latches with the keepers 22.

We claim as our invention:

1. Speed responsive signalling mechanism hav ing, in combination, arotatable support, a plurality of fiyweights spaced annularly around andlongitudinally of the axis of rotation of said support and pivoted onthe latter to move outwardly as the speed of the support increases, aplurality of annularly spaced arms one for each of' said fiyweightsextending longitudinally of said axis and each swingable transversely ofthe latter and into and out of an inactive position, means normallyurging each of said arms away from its inactive position, a plurality oflatches one pivoted on and projecting from each arm and engageable witheach of said fiyweights, each latch being engageable by its flyweight ata predetermined speed of said support but disposed out of the path ofthe fiyweight at all other speeds, a keeper for each latch engageablewith the latter to hold its arm in said inactive position thereof butdisengageable from the latch when the latter is struck by its fiyweight,a device for giving a signal in response to movement of each of saidarms out of said position thereof, a resetting member movable along saidaxis into and out of a normally inactive position, and means operable inresponse to movement of said member out of said inactive positionthereof to move each of said arms into its inactive position and each ofsaid latches into holding engagement with its keeper.

2. A speed responsive. signalling device having, in combination, arotatable support, a flyweight pivoted on said support and movableoutwardly therefrom as the speed of the support increases, a latch, amember supporting said latch for movement toward and away from said axisinto and out of a set position in which the latch is, disposed at apredetermined radius from the axis, means normally urging said latch andsaid member away from said set position, a stationary keeper engageablewith said latch to hold the latter in said set position butdisengageable from the latch when the latter is struck by saidflyweight, a device for giving a signal in response to movement of saidlatch and said member out of said set position, a part on said fiyweightdisposed at said predetermined radius and engaging said latch to releasethe latter from said keeper at a predetermined speed. of said support,means providing a surface engageable with said latch in all of itspositions so as to guide the latch into and out of said set position, aresetting element movable into and out of a normally inactive position,and means engageable with said latch supporting member and actuated bymovement of said resetting element out of said inactive position to movesaid latch along said guide surface toward and into said set position.

3. Speed responsive signalling mechanism having, in combination, arotatable support, a plurality of flyweights spaced annularly around.and longitudinally of the axis of rotation of said support and pivoted.on the latter to move outwardly as the speed of the support increases, aplural-- ity of annularly spaced arms one for each of said flyweightsextending longitudinally of said axis and each swingable transversely ofsaid axis andinto and out of. an inactive position, means.

is struck by its flyweight, and means responsive to the movement of eacharm away from said inactive position thereof and operable in suchmovement to give a signal.

4. Speed responsive signalling mechanism having, in combination, arotatable support, a flyweight pivoted on said support and movableoutwardly as the speed of said support increases, a member movabletoward and from the axis of said support and into and out of a setposition, means normally urging said member away from said set position,a latch pivoted on said member to swing about an axis parallel to thatof said rotatable support and projecting toward said axis for engagementwith said fiyweight at a predetermined speed latch being disposed out ofthe path of the flyweight at other speeds, a keeper for said latchengageable with the latter to hold said member in set position butdisengageable from the latch when the latter is struck by saidfiyweight, a device for giving a signal in response to movement of saidmember out of said set position, and surfaces on said latch and saidkeeper interengageable to guide the latch into holding engagement withthe keeper.

5. A speed responsive signalling device having, in combination, a rotarysupport, a flyweight rotatable with said support and mounted thereon tomove transversely of the axis of said support in response to changes inthe speed of the latter, a member mounted for movement toward and awayfrom said axis to and from a set position, a stationary latch keeper, alatch for engaging said keeper to hold said member in said set position,means mounting said latch on said movable member for bodily movementtherewith and also for movement relative to the member into and out ofengagement with said keeper along a path which intersects the circle ofrevolution of said fiyweight when the latter is turning at apredetermined speed whereby to permit disengagement of the latch andfiyweight after the latch has been struck by the fiyweight at saidpredetermined speed and moved in unison with the latter along said pathand out of engagement with said keeper, a device for giving a signal inresponse to movement of said memher away from said set positionfollowing disengagement of said latch from said keeper, an elementaxially spaced from said support and mounted for movement longitudinallyof the rotational axis of the latter between an active and a normalinactive position, and means actuated by said element in moving to saidactive position and engageable with said member to move the latter andreset said latch.

6. A speed responsive signalling device having, in combination, a rotarysupport, a flyweight rotatable with said support and mounted thereon ofsaid support, said to move transversely of the axis of said support 70in response to changes in the speed of the latter, a member mounted formovement toward and away from said axis to and from a set position, a

stationary latch keeper, a latch for engaging said keeper to hold saidmember in said set position, means mounting said latch on said movablemember for bodily movement therewith and also for movement relative tothe member into and out of engagement with said keeper along a pathwhich intersects the circle of revolution of said flyweight when thelatter is turning at a predetermined speed, said path diverging awayfrom said circle whereby to permit disengagement of the latch andflyweight after the latch has been struck by the flyweight at saidpredetermined speed and moved in unison with the latter along said pathand out of engagement with said keeper, and a device for giving a signalin response to movement of said member away from said set positionfollowing disengagement of said latch from said keeper.

'7. A speed responsive signalling device having, in combination, arotary support, a flyweight rotatable with said support and mountedthereon to move transversely of the axis of said support in response tochanges in the speed of the latter, a member mounted for movement towardand away from said axis to and from a set position, a stationary latchkeeper, a latch for engaging said keeper to hold said member in said setposition, means pivotally mounting said latch on said movable member toswing about an axis parallel to the axis of said support and into andout of engagement with said keeper along a path which intersects thecircle of revolution of said flyweight when the latter is turning at apredetermined speed, said latch path diverging away from said circlewhereby to permit disengagement of the latch and flyweight after thelatch has been struck by the fiyweight at said predetermined speed andmoved in unison with the latter along said path and out of engagementwith said keeper, and a device for giving a signal in response tomovement of said member away from said set position followingdisengagement of said latch from said keeper.

8. A speed responsive signalling device having, in combination, a rotarysupport, a member mounted for movement toward and away from the axis ofsaid support to and from a set position, a flyweight pivotally mountedon said support to swing about an axis parallel to said support axis inresponse to changes in speed of said support, a latch pivotally mountedon said member to swing about an axis also parallel to said support axisand projecting toward said flyweight to be struck thereby at apredetermined speed of said support, a stationary keeper engaged by saidlatch to hold said member in said set position, said latch disengagingsaid keeper when struck by said flyweight, and a device for giving asignal in response to movement of said member away from said setposition following disengagement of said latch from said keeper.

FRANK N. BAILEY. RAYMOND P. HUMPAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 453,287 Macrae June 2, 18911,104,704 Picken July 21, 1914 2,359,899 Conant Oct. 10, 1944

